Chap 1 & 2

Question 1

What are gyri and sulci

Answer 1

gyri: the folds and bump of the cortex
Sulci: the creases of these folds

Question 2

Briefly contrast Mentalism, dualism and materialism

Answer 2

Mentalism (Aristotle): the psyche is responsible for human thoughts and perceptions, but the body and mind are two entities
Dualism (descartes): the brain and mind work together to respond to stimuli
Materialism (Darwin): behavior is explained through the nervous system

Question 3

What is localized vs lateralized brain function

Answer 3

Localized: specific brain areas control specific behaviors
Lateralization: behaviors are made up by multiple areas in the brain

Question 4

What is the interaction between Broca and Wernicks area?

Answer 4

In Wenickes area the auditory cortex receives auditory information. and passes it to broca’s area where it creates speech

Question 5

What is Australopithecus?

Answer 5

the first fossil resembling the hominin, it walked upright and had similar bone structure to humans

Question 6

What is the encephalization quotient?

Answer 6

A measure of brain size that looks at the ratio of observed to predicted brain size of a species

Question 7

What are 4 reasons why the hominin brain so large ?

Answer 7

1. Climate changes forced adaptation
2. Primate lifestyle favors a complex nervous system that humans capitalize on
3. Brain cooling processes
4. Slowed maturation favors a large brain

Question 8

How did the primate lifestyle relate to brain size ?

Answer 8

• The size of the social group is related to brain size, a larger group size enhances the ability to forage for food
• species who feed off fruit may have larger brain sizes since they need good sensory and memory systems

Question 9

What is a dominant allele ? What is a recessive allele ?

Answer 9

1. Dominant: the trait or allele that is expressed
2. Recessive: the trait or allele that is regularly not expressed

Question 10

Describe the outcomes of Tay-Sachs disease with two parents who are carriers

Answer 10

1. two normal alleles are inherited= no disorder and not a carrier (25%)
2. One normal allele and one Tay-sachs allele= no disorder but carrier (50%)
3. Two tay-sachs alleles= disease (25%)

Question 11

Describe the outcomes of Huntingtons disease with one parent being a carrier

Answer 11

1. Parent is carrier= 50% child will get the disease
2. Both parents are carriers= 75% Child will get the disease